Extraordinary Scene at a Vestry.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 6240, 12 June 1890, Page 3

Extraordinary Scene at a Vestry.

On .April 11th a meeting of the parishioners of St. Botolpb, Aldgate, was held at the Vestry Hall, when the viccar (the Eev K. H. Badden) occupied the chair, and a scene of the wildest possible excitement and uproar took place. r lbe senior churchwarden (Mr Edwin Bell), claimed his right to take the chair at vestry meetings, but this was denied him by the vicar, who said the law of England had always vested in the vicar or rector the right to preside at meetings of the parish, and this porticularly applied to the Easter Vestry. Ho declined to leave the chair, and directed the vestry clerk to read the minutes of the last meeting. While this was being done it was proposed that Mr Bell should take the chair and not the vicar, and this was declared to be carried by the churchwarden, for whom a number of men, women, and boys had voted. The churchwarden then claimed his right to sign the minute-book as chairman, but the vicar said ho should not allow it. The vicar signed the book, which the churchwarden demanded in loud tones. Much excitement prevailed, and as the churchwarden could not get at the minute-book be proceeded to cross the table. He was pulled back by some of his friends, while Dp Cotman,

to prevent the churchwarden getting tho book put his arms round Mr Bell’s waist. Assistance was rendered to tho churchwarden, but a general melcs took place, threats being issued broadcast. Dr Cotma'i alleged that Mr Bell had struck him, and the poll'd wore communicated with. Several stalwart officers entered Ihe room, and tho churchwarden was forthwith given into custody. Another dioadful struggle ensued, some of Mr Bell’s friends trying to prevent his arrest. Four of the constables conducted the churchwarden to Soething-lane Police-station where tho inspector in charge investigated the matter, but on consideration refused to entertain the charge. The churchwarden then returned triumphantly to the vestry-hall, to find that in his absence nothing but a continual wrangle had been going on. He was cheered to tho rolio, and a chair was placed in front of the vicar on Ihe table, on which lie sat. Ho was voted ‘‘ tho chair,” but the vicar declined to move, and then it was decided by tho churchwarden to proceed with the business of the meeting. First ho said ho thought they wore to have worked smoothly and amicably as they had done in tho past. He had never made a penny out of'the parish, as was suggested, while he had been churchwarden ; indeed ho had spent his own money on tho inhabitants. Most wicked libels bad been committed on him, and he should at once commence proceedings ogainst Dr Ootman for what he had done that day. He had been dragged through the streets of the City, and degraded by being taken to the police-station Whatever damages he recovered in tho action for false icu prison ment which he should bring lie should give to the poor of the parish. Such a scene as ho had witnessed that day, had never disgraced the City before. —The Vicar said they had discussed tho question quietly, and then the churchwarden conceded the vicar’s right to preside, but now he departed from it.—The churchwarden said that was not so, and he charged the vicar with being guilty of making erasures in one of the parochial hooks.—Tho vicar most indignantly denied tho charge.—The churchwarden was asked to withdraw in the faco of the vicar’s denial, but he declined.—lt was then decided by the churchwarden to elect the usual officers of tho parish for the year ensuing, and he and Mr J. D. Siramonds were re-appointed churchwardens, while the overseers, parish committee, etc, were also elected amidst uproar and confusion, which made it impossible to hear what was being said. Ultimately the churchwarden declared his meeting at an end.--The vicar, who had sat in the chair calmly looting on the whole while, then said that as tho churchwarden’s meeting was illegal, he should proceed with the business in tho usual way and elect the officers. Ibis course the church warden and his friends objected to in the strongest possible way, but amid tho wildest confusion the vicar transacted the routine business, Mr Bell not being re-elected churchwarden.—Tho meeting was then declared to be adjourned.